These United States

...over a Makers Mark I sat down with "These United States", like hooking up with that friend you have not seen in a million years it was like no time had passed and we just picked up where we had last left off. Collectively "These United States" is a band made up of multi-talented musicians with roots spread from Illinois to Kentucky. Based out of the D.C area, these guys lay down a straight ahead rockin' roll back beat that takes you in and introduces you to a mixture of melody and emotion spread across intentional lyrics evoking place and time.

"These United States" are currently touring with core members: Front Man - Jesse Elliot, Guitarist - J. Tom Hnatow, Guitarist - Justin Craig and Drummer - Robby Cosenza. Though the guys had been through the Michigan area in the past, playing the Magic Bag earlier in 08, they agreed that touring through Detroit proper and bringing their brand of music to PJ's Lager House was definitely a cool time!

Located at 1254 Michigan Ave. in Corktown, The Lager House plays host to many local and touring acts, featuring a variety of genres in music that range from Heavy to Hip Hop and Punk to Rock a Billy. PJ, owner of The Lager House, is as true a believer in Detroit music and art as one can get, consistently bringing in new talent that will make any night at the Lager House a night worth being a part of.



With the break away buzz surrounding "These United States" the band, on tour in promotion of their latest CD "A Picture Of The Three Of Us In the Garden Of Eden" is genuine in the music, solid in the talent and is honest about all that is a touring band...and if invited, make no mistake they will sleep on your couch and drink your beer.

MC5, 40th Anniversary Bash, Pontiac Michigan

On the cusp of Halloween night was the 40th anniversary of the Detroit legendary rock group MC5. In the stream of a new documentary currently being filmed to honor MC5, a "To the Day" blow out bash was held at the Crofoot Ball Room in Pontiac Michigan. Featuring 18 local groups consisting of new sounds in music from Detroit bands like "Lies Unknown" on through national spotlight acts like "The Muggs", each group paid honor to Detroit royalty by covering songs from such bands as Grand Funk Rail Road, Bob Seger and Alice Cooper to name a few. As well as being hosted by poet and activist John Sinclair, former MC5 manager, on scene was Brett Callwood talking with people, selling and signing his book "Sonically Speaking - a tale of revolution and rock'n'roll" a book that targets the impact MC5 had both musically and socially in a time when revolution and radical politics reined. A night fueled by rock and roll, social reminiscence and documentation of Detroit history...a night this photographer was honored to have a chance to witness.